Chennai: After two migrant workers drowned off Marina beach, the attempts to prevent further loss of lives due to drowning by beach patrol teams of Anna Square and Marina police stations ended in a road roko. This led to police using mild force to disperse the squatters on Kamarajar Salai on Monday evening. Two migrant workers were injured in the lathi-charge.
The crowd in Marina swelled through the day due to migrant labourers who were given compulsory leave to celebrate Independence Day visiting the beach, which is the only entertainment they can afford to in the city.
As temperature soared in the afternoon, several ventured into the sea leading to two separate incidents of drowning. The deceased were identified as Kanna (27), a native of Odisha and Sooraj (24 of Uttar Pradesh. The former was working as a casual labourer in the city.
Beach patrolling was stepped up after the fatalities and police resisted attempts by public to enter the sea. In one such attempt, Pradeep, a migrant worker, picked a wordy altercation which culminated in his thrashing by police. Enraged, fellow workers who accompanied him gathered in front of Labour statue and blocked traffic on Kamarajar Salai. Police resorted to force after a few of the protesters stoned an MTC bus. A case was registered on a complaint from MTC crew. Further investigation is on.
